Peacemakers Take on Many Shapes

The art of peace can be hard to master. The Paul Bartlett Re Peace Prize recognizes UNM students, alumni, faculty, staff or retirees who meet that challenge.

The 2010 awardees are Arti Prasad, founding executive director of UNM's Center for Life, and Peace Talks Radio, created and produced in part by UNM alumni and staff.

Paul Re is recognized internationally for promoting world peace and harmony through his art. At a recent award ceremony, Re said peacemaking has multiple dimensions, "internal and external peace," "conflict resolution and conflict prevention."

That balance is central to the Center for Life at the UNM Health Sciences Center. "Internal peace translates into external peace," Prasad said.

The UNM Center for Life uses integrative medicine, incorporating an array of ancient and modern techniques to treat people with a wide range of health issues. Prasad said integrative medicine "is focused on the harmony of mind, body and spirit." It "creates more coherence within the person and within their care."

The center provides not only a service but a vision. "The UNM Center for Life acts as a microcosm of what our future can be," Prasad said.

In his vision statement for the prize, Re said, "When we thoroughly integrate peace into all of our thoughts and actions, our life becomes a work of art." That's a familiar lesson to listeners of Peace Talks Radio.

Executive Director Nola Daves-Moses said, "What I've learned in listening to Peace Talks is that peace can be found in daily life."

Since Paul Ingles and Suzanne Kryder created Peace Talks Radio in 2002, the show has aired on KUNM and more than 100 other public radio stations. The monthly series focuses on peacemaking and nonviolent conflict resolution. KUNM's Carol Boss is a frequent host.

"The aim of the show is to offer listeners both inspiration and practical tools for forging peace in their own lives," Ingles said.

The prize includes a stipend, framed commemorative artwork by Re and a signed copy of his acclaimed monograph, "The Dance of the Pencil." The peace prize is funded by a donation from Re. For more information visit: paulre.org.

For information on giving to UNM, call (505) 277-4503 or visit: UNM Foundation.